Russia Defends India’s Oil Trade Amid U.S. Pressure, Slams “Unjustified” Tariff Threats

 Moscow/New Delhi, August 5: Russia on Tuesday strongly defended India’s sovereign right to choose its trading partners and accused the United States of exerting unlawful economic pressure over New Delhi’s continued import of Russian oil. The Kremlin’s remarks come in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose higher tariffs on India if it fails to reduce energy trade with Russia.

“Sovereign nations have the right to choose their own trading partners,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, condemning what he called Washington’s “illegal attempts to dictate trade policy.” Speaking to Reuters, Peskov added, “We do not consider such statements to be legal. We believe that sovereign countries have and should retain the right to define their own forms of trade and economic cooperation, in alignment with national interests.”

The sharp rebuke comes as the Trump administration prepares to impose new sanctions on Russia and its trading partners starting August 8, unless Moscow takes concrete steps toward ending its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, now entering its fourth year.

In response, New Delhi has hit back, calling Trump’s tariff threats “unjustified and unreasonable,” and asserting that India will take all necessary steps to safeguard its national and economic interests. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released a strongly worded statement underscoring what it described as “Western double standards.”

India Criticises Western Hypocrisy

“India began importing increased volumes of Russian oil only after traditional suppliers redirected shipments to Europe following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict,” the MEA said. “Ironically, these very countries now criticising India are themselves engaged in significant trade with Russia, well beyond energy.”

The ministry emphasized that India’s energy imports from Russia are driven by necessity, aimed at ensuring affordable and predictable energy costs for Indian consumers in an unstable global market. “Such trade is vital to national energy security. Unlike our case, Western trade with Russia is not even a strategic compulsion,” the statement added.

The MEA also highlighted the range of ongoing Western trade with Russia, noting that European countries continue to import Russian fertilizers, metals, chemicals, machinery, and even energy through alternative pipelines. “The U.S., too, continues to import critical materials such as uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear sector, palladium for electric vehicles, and various fertilizers and chemicals.”

A Shifting Energy Landscape

The backdrop to this growing diplomatic friction is a dramatic realignment in global energy flows since January 2023, when the European Union imposed a ban on most Russian seaborne oil. This led to Russia redirecting its exports to major Asian economies. China, India, and Turkey have since emerged as Russia’s top energy buyers.

According to an Associated Press report, China has purchased an estimated $219.5 billion worth of Russian oil, gas, and coal since the EU ban took effect. India follows with $133.4 billion, and Turkey with $90.3 billion. Before the Ukraine war, India’s import of Russian oil was minimal.

Meanwhile, Hungary — an EU member — continues to import Russian oil via pipeline. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has openly criticised EU sanctions against Russia, underscoring divisions within the Western bloc.

Geopolitical Stakes Remain High

Observers note that the Trump administration’s tariff threat is primarily intended to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into agreeing to a ceasefire in Ukraine. However, with Moscow showing no signs of altering its stance, and major Asian powers standing firm on their energy ties with Russia, tensions over global trade alignments are expected to deepen in the weeks ahead.